In the Spotlight

Idiom: In the spotlight; used as a prepositional phrase

First Example:

Dani: How was the party last night?

Henry: It was pretty fun.  Tom was crazy.

Dani: What did he do?

Henry: He got drunk and performed a dance routine in the living room. 

Dani: He does love being in the spotlight.

Henry: Yeah.  And then to make sure he still had everyone's attention, he jumped into the pool!

Dani: With his clothes on?

Henry: Yeah. He tried to get other people to join him, but no one would.  Eventually, he got out of the pool and took a cab home, but it was pretty funny.

Meaning: The phrase “in the spotlight” means at the center of attention.  The idiom comes from the literal meaning of being in a spotlight while onstage.  However, the idiom can now be used in a non-literal sense when someone is at the center of attention.  In the example, Tom loves to be the center of attention, which explains his crazy antics.   Look at another example:

Marisol: Are you excited about your presentation in class tomorrow?

Yoshi: Not really.  I hate being in the spotlight.  I get nervous being in front of other people.

Marisol: Then you should try to shift the attention.

Yoshi: What do you mean?

Marisol: Well, try to interact with your audience so that it feels more like a conversation.  You have a lot of friends in that class.

Yoshi: That's not a bad idea.  Thanks for the advice.

In this case, Yoshi does not like being at the center of attention, and he isn't looking forward to his presentation, so Marisol suggests a way of making him feel less "in the spotlight."

This idiom is from LSI's new edition of "Reading Horizons," which will be used in the Level 6 Reading classes. For more information, please visit http://www.languagesystems.com/

The Finer Points

Idiom: "the finer points”

Meaning: the more complex or detailed aspects of; minutiae, particulars, specifics, technicalities

Example #1:

Jan: I had no idea that Carl’s work was so challenging. I only heard that he was an engineer. Then, yesterday we met for lunch and he discussed the finer points of his work. He has so much to do!

Steve: I know. When he explained the finer points of his job to me last month, I was amazed that he is able to get anything done.  

Jan: On top of that, he does his job so well.

Steve: You’re right.

   

Example #2:

Selena: Do you want to go to this “Seminar for Singles" tonight?

Jackie: This is the first I have heard of it. What will be discussed in the seminar?

Selena: They are going to review the finer points of dating, like what to say, how to dress, and what perfume to wear on the first date.

Jackie: That sounds great! I really need it considering that my last date was an absolute disaster.

Selena: Well, then I guess going over the finer points of dating might help. Let’s go together!

Jackie: OK. I’ll see you later!

Meaning: "The finer points” means a more complex or detailed part of a subject. Synonyms include specifics or details. In the first example, the speakers know that Carl is an engineer; however, they didn’t realize all the details of his job until Carl explained the finer points of his job. In the second example, The two women are going to attend a seminar (or small one-day class) in which the teacher will explain the finer points of dating to single people. This idiom can be found in the 2nd edition of Reading Horizons. This book is used at LSI schools in the level 6 Reading/Vocabulary classes. For more information, please visit: www.languagesystems.com. 

To Hit Bottom or To Hit Rock Bottom

Idiom: "to hit bottom” or “to hit rock bottom”

Meaning: to reach the lowest or worst point; to reach the lowest possible level or be in the worst possible situation

Example #1:

Jerry: This has been such a bad year for my company.

Steve: Really? I thought you had a successful business.  

Jerry: Well, because we had to close for a month after damage from the earthquake, our profits hit bottom in May. I guess things can only get better now.

Steve: You’re right. Profits can only go up after you have hit bottom.

Jerry: Let’s hope so!

Example #2:

Selena: Wow, I had a long talk with Jill last night and she has really had a difficult life.

Jackie: Really? She seems so successful and happy with her life.

Selena: She is now, but she was an alcoholic for ten years.  Every time she tried to quit, she would start drinking again. Then, she hit rock bottom. She was homeless and sick. She finally made the change and now she hasn’t had a drink in over five years.

Jackie: It is sad that she had to go through all those bad things, but sometimes a person has to hit rock bottom before they can really make a change for the better.

Selena: Yes, I guess you’re right.

Meaning: "To hit bottom” and “to hit rock bottom” mean to reach the lowest or worst point or to reach the lowest possible level or be in the worst possible situation in one’s life. In the first example, Jerry’s company “hit bottom” because of damage from an earthquake that caused him to lose money. In the second example, the two people are talking about a woman who was an alcoholic for many years and couldn’t make a change until her life was ruined completely, or until she “hit rock bottom.”  This idiom can be found in the 2nd edition of Reading Horizons. This book is used at LSI schools in the level 6 Reading/Vocabulary classes. For more information, please visit: www.languagesystems.com. 

To get out of hand

Idiom: "to get out of hand”

Example #1:

Jim: Did you see what happened at Kim’s party last night?

Steve: No, I had to work, so I couldn’t go.  

Jim: Well, people just kept on drinking and drinking beer. Then there was a fight and things really got out of hand.

Steve: What happened then?

Jim: Then the police came, broke up the party, and everyone went home.

Steve: Sounds exciting!

Example #2:

Selena: I am so tired!!! I had to substitute teach a 5^th grade class today.

Jackie: Oh, no! That must have been difficult.

Selena: Yes, it was. And every time I turned my back to write on the board, the kids would start playing and talking. After a while, things really got out of hand.

Jackie: What did you do?

Selena: Well, I sent about five kids to the principal’s office. I’m never teaching that class again!

Meaning: "To get out of hand" is a very commonly used idiom in American English. It is used to describe a situation that cannot be controlled. In the first example, the party goers are drinking and fighting, so things got out of control. In the second example, the 5^th graders are out of control and not listening to the substitute teacher. This idiom can be found in the 2nd edition of Reading Horizons. This book is used at LSI schools in the level 6 Reading/Vocabulary classes. For more information, please visit: www.languagesystems.com. 

To Bend Over Backwards

Example #1:

Joe: Wow! That was a great party at Sandy’s house. She really bent over backwards to make everyone feel right t home.

Steve: I know, she was so nice and talked to all the guests.

Joe: I’ll definitely go again if she has another party.

Example #2:

Sally: I can’t believe they have 10 kids, five boys and five girls!

Julie: I know and they really bend over backwards to treat each of their children equally.

Sally: That’s hard to do with so many children.

Julie: Yes, but I think they are doing it.

Meaning: "to bend over backwards" is a very commonly used idiom in American English. It means to make a special effort, especially in order to please someone. In the first example, Sandy bent over backwards to please her guests so that they would have fun. In the second example, the parents bend over backwards to treat each child in their family equally. Our students learn practical idioms like this in our Speaking and Listening classes at LSI. For more information, please visit www.languagesystems.com

A Sight for Sore Eyes

Idiom:  A Sight for Sore Eyes; used as a noun/idiomatic expression.

First Example:  After having lived in Russia for two years, Betty was really happy to return to her hometown of Malibu in California.  For the past two years, Betty had constantly dreamed of surfing in the ocean.  When she finally saw the beach, it was a sight for sore eyes.

Meaning:  A Sight for Sore Eyes means someone or something you’re glad to see again.  In this example, Betty was really glad to see the beach because she had spent a long time away from it during her stay in Russia.  This idiom can apply to any situation where someone is really happy to see something that they had been yearning for.  The idiom is used as a noun and/or idiomatic expression.

Here is another example:

Second Example:  After William returned from a long business trip, his own bed was a sight for sore eyes.

Meaning:  In this case, the idiom, A Sight for Sore Eyes, is used to express William’s happiness at seeing his bed after traveling for a long time.  When most people travel for an extended period of time, very often they’re glad to see a familiar sight.  In this example, the idiom is being used as noun/idiomatic expression.

This idiom is from the book "Everyday Idioms – Book One" which is used in the LSI Intermediate Conversation Class.

For more information, please visit http://www.languagesystems.com/

Freebie

Idiom:  Freebie; used as a noun.

First Example:  

Sam:  “I work as a food critic for a magazine about food.  The salary is a little low but there are a lot of freebies with the job.  Some of the shops that I review send me boxes of cheese so that I can write articles about them.  But there’s one problem.

Mary:  “What’s that?”

Sam:  “I don’t eat cheese!”

Meaning:  Freebie means something which is given for free, often in return for possible favors in the future.  In this example, Sam, who is a food critic, often receives free items from the stores that he reviews.  Because his job is to review stores, the owners of these shops believe that by sending him free sample items, Sam will write positive articles about their stores.  This idiom can apply to any situation where an individual receives something for free.  This idiom is used as noun in this example.

Here is another example:

Second Example: Alex likes to check for grand openings of new stores in his area on Yelp.com.  When his friends ask him why he always attends the grand openings, he tells them that the stores often give away freebies to encourage future customers to return and buy things from these shops.

Meaning: In this case, the idiom, freebies, serves to express the idea that shops often give away free items to promote the grand opening of the stores.  Many shops often give away free products to encourage customers into becoming regular patrons and hope that they will promote the store to their friends in the future.  In this example, the idiom is being used as a noun.

This idiom is from the book "Help with Idioms," which is used as supplemental material in LSI’s Intermediate Conversation classes.

For more information, please visit http://www.languagesystems.com/